TMG Also Finds Consumer Spending Up on Black Friday

The Members Group has reported that its analysis of consumer card spending found that consumers largely spent as predicted and that some consumers began spending more as early as the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

“Consumers hitting the stores a bit ahead of schedule may stem from earlier promotion of online Black Friday offers, not to mention brick-and-mortar stores keeping doors open on the holiday itself,” said TMG’s Director of Marketing and Communications Georgann Smith.

She added, “Black Friday data shines a spotlight on the consumer preference for credit when making larger purchases.

“For community FI issuers, the key will be maintaining top-of-wallet status throughout the holiday season and beyond. And as more card offers hit mailboxes in 2013, the focus for these issuers must be on maintaining that competitive edge.”

Credit and debit users who carry cards issued by TMG financial institution clients spent slightly more on average this year as compared to the same period last year, the Iowa-based processor reported.

It also reported the total spend amount for debit cardholders during Thanksgiving week averaged roughly $130 this year as compared to roughly $120 during the same week in 2011. Similarly, credit cardholders’ total spend amount increased $15, from $208 in 2011 to $223 in 2012.